After hesitating for nearly three minutes, Anna willed her hand to press the doorbell to the Cohen family mansion.

The disaster of the Chrismukkah party, finding Seth and Summer in the pool house and Seth wanting to be friends was now behind here. Anna had found herself in limbo between Christmas and New Year. Not speaking to Seth, not speaking to Summer. And Ryan, no reason to talk to Ryan, or too afraid? Maybe a little of both, she thought. And even if she had a reason, she didn't have his number. She didn't even know if he had a phone. Surely he did, right? Anna's train of thought was interrupted as her ears picked up movement on the top floor.

She had picked a time she knew Seth would be out, but her heart was pounding nonetheless. She heard footsteps on the stairs. Not Seth, too heavy. Ryan? Oh god.

Wait no, why are you nervous? Anna chastised herself. Post-Pier, everything had gone well. At least while school was still on. They'd talk in the hallway or at lunch whenever they ran into each other, topics stayed light but it was nice. It felt normal. She was getting pretty good at making him laugh and smile. At least on the days where things were going well with Marissa.

Now that school had ended for the year, nothing. And since Chrismukkah happened, well, less than nothing.

And so she'd done this. The antithesis of reasonable. Leaping into the dragon's den. The Dragon here being two annoyingly attractive boys. Anna could've waited to return these comics. But...

But why was she hoping that he would be here? Now both him and Seth had ditched her for a Newport Beach socialite. And they'd both apologised. And Anna was only struggling to get one of those apologies out of her head.

The door finally opened. A concoction of relief and disappointment flooded through Anna all at once.

"Good Morning!" Sandy said, cracking a wry smile. "I'm sorry, Seth isn't here. No-one is actually", he concluded with a small shrug.

She tried to hide her disappointment at the news. It was just Sandy.

"Morning Mr Cohen, I just came to bring these back for Seth", she said, raising the comics she held in both hands now. "Can I leave them with you?".

"Ahh nonsense, wait around, it is a lovely day. I'll make you something", he replied, broad smile and hands raised.

Before Anna could stop herself, the words were out of her mouth.

"That would be great, thank you Mr Cohen", and before she had finished speaking Sandy was gesturing her into the foyer.

"Welcome back to Casa de Cohen. And please, call me Sandy", she walked through with him to the kitchen and he positioned himself behind the counter. "What can I get you this sweltering winter morning. Bet they don't have this in Pennsylvania".

"Certainly not. Seth said you are from New York?", Anna said, searching for common ground.

"Brooklyn born and raised. Don't ask how I ended up here", he smiled, a warm smile. It was more like Ryan than Seth, she thought. She understood somewhere within her that this was not a man who had always lived comfortably.

"Wouldn't dare", she said, laughing and skipping a beat. "I hear you make a mean bagel?"

If it was possible, the smile broadened.

"Ahh, my reputation precedes me". He did a mock bow and she couldn't help but laugh. There was the Seth part. "Take a seat by the pool, I'll bring out some lemonade to boot, how's that for service?"

Anna sat down on the chairs, overlooking the clear blue swimming pool. Despite Sandy's protestations, the air was cool. Cool for California anyway. Compared to December in New York or Pittsburgh it was positively tropical. She was grateful when the sea breeze started to sweep across her, a reminder of why this coast was littered with mansions.

"Y'know, they tell you being a parent is a full time job", Sandy said, as he carried out a tray, placing it on the table. "But the dirty secret is that as soon as they are old enough everyone is straight out the door. Even during the normally lethargic Christmas to New Year limbo".

"Don't you mean Chrismukkah to New Year limbo", she smiled.

"Ahh yes, you've been inducted into the ways of my son," he shook his head, "I can only apologise".

They shared a mock toast to Chrismukkah and ate the bagels, which lived up to the hype set out by Seth and Ryan effortlessly. Anna found herself looking around the pool area, her eyes resting on the pool house. Ryan's pool house. The brooding lair. Afterwards, as if to counteract her guilt, she glanced up to Seth's window.

"So where are Seth and Ryan anyway?" she asked, knowing where Seth was. She tried to make asking after both of them seem naturalistic, but Sandy's smile and gleaming eyes made it clear he'd seen right through her.

"Well," he said, leaning back, "Seth is with his mother, doing among other things, the comic-book run". His wry smile went into overdrive. "But you knew that".

Anna held up her hands, it suddenly seemed very hard to lie to Sandy Cohen.

"You got me, lock me up".

"Ahh, lucky for you I'm a defence attorney...Well, mostly". He took a sip of lemonade. "Loved the fire you put under Caleb the other day by the way", he blew a chef's kiss. "Masterful. Wouldn't see Summer or Marissa doing that. Never seen him so speechless".

"Well, sometimes you need an outsider's perspective".

"Cheers to that as well", and they made their second lemonade toast.

Anna paused, Sandy was still smiling. Her heart was racing. If she knew he wasn't here for Seth. Was this some weird lawyer technique?

"Speaking of outsiders. My other son", he smiled as he said it, Anna guessed the novelty of having two sons hadn't worn thin yet. "Now I'm guessing you weren't sure where Ryan would be. Perhaps you thought he was coming to answer the door, and perhaps that explains the look of disappointment on your face". Anna laughed nervously and smiled.

"You must be a good lawyer".

"People tell me so through gritted teeth", he laughed. "Forgive me, I don't mean to be rude or to intrude. Just getting things out in the open, tell me to shut up at any time and we can talk about the weather and the East Coast".

Anna was taken aback by the offer, it was kind, reasonable, honest. It was anything but Newport beach.

"No, I'm okay. I'm not going to crack that easily", she smiled. "You have questions, ask away, but I might have some for you as well".

"Wonderful, no-one asks me questions anymore. This is like being a Public Defender again. Let me get you some more lemonade, or some coffee?"

He came back with two cups of coffee and chocolate.

"Kirsten insists that coffee isn't complete without chocolate. I don't get it personally". He shrugged and took a sip. How could one man be so charming and terrifying.

"So, Ryan tells me you ran into each other at the pier a few weeks ago. And I'm guessing if you are giving Seth back these comics then things aren't going too well?" Sandy mused, looking up to the clear sky.

"Spot on, he said he wanted to be friends...I, well. I think being friends with Seth will probably mean watching him and Summer drift into each others arms. I...I really like your son, but I couldn't do that".

"No-one should have to. It is a shame you all found each other at the same time. But, I'll leave that decision to you..." Sandy slowly took a sip of coffee.

"Now the Ryan situation is more intriguing to me", he started again after a moment. "Ryan doesn't tell me about every aspect of his life. As you know, you are lucky to get a look or a few words...Which makes it all the more curious that he specifically told me about this. He even implied that he spoke. Spoke a lot even. You can imagine my surprise".

"I don't need to imagine, I lived the surprise", Anna said with a small smile, "I think Ryan was surprised as well", Sandy nodded.

"As I thought…" he took in a deep breath, just as Ryan had done.

"Mr Cohen, I don't know what made Ryan say what he did. I don't even really know why I came. I want you to know that I'm not trying to…" words failed her for a moment. "I care for your sons, deeply. They are both wonderful".

This time Sandy stayed silent for a moment, before a faint smile came across his face.

"I wasn't implying anything like that. Allow me to speak frankly. The temptation is to speak vaguely, especially about love and across generations. But you seem intelligent, mature even. Though hell, maybe that is because we ask more from girls than boys…" Anna laughed in astonishment.

"Wow, I mean, yes, we do. Wouldn't catch my parents saying something like that. My dad is a bit of a dinosaur for these things. He wanted boys", Anna said.

"Ah, it is hard to have your wife earn ten times more than you and not spend a little time reflecting on traditional gender roles", He replied, chuckling.

"Outsider perspective", she said in solidarity.

"Exactly, and so in the interest of outsider solidarity. Let me speak as frankly as I can, and you tell me if I cross the line".

With that Sandy Cohen looked dead ahead, out towards the sea. More Ryan traits, Anna thought.

"I think you know where you'd fit in in Seth's life. The two of you clearly share interests, outlooks, social roles I guess. No lack of conversation topics, natural chemistry." He clicked his fingers, "But Ryan Atwood. Oh, now there is a mystery. He clearly notices you. He talked about you after Cotillon, after the carnival and the boat party. I never hear him talk about Summer, but maybe that is because Seth drowns him out in Summer talk".

"Ahh," the noise escaped Anna's mouth before she could stop it.

"Sorry, sensitive subject, I'm sure. What I'm trying to say is that Ryan has been through a lot recently. Everything with Marissa hasn't escaped my attention and I don't know what to think about that. I will guide him where I can, but he has to make his own decisions". He sighed, "But he needs people his own age, and not just Seth. He needs friends".

Anna felt her eyes become slightly heavier and for the first time she considered taking his offer to talk about the weather.

"That word comes up a lot recently Mr Cohen, I won't lie. And each time it comes up it seems to be about me being someone's friend, while Seth or Ryan go chasing one of two given Newport Heiresses". She took a sharp breath in and out to steady herself. "Honestly, I'm worried. I'm not like those two. Clearly I don't scream girlfriend material. Ryan picked Marissa at Cotillon. At Thanksgiving Seth told me to leave, at Chrismukkah, well...The less said the better…" She paused, gathering her thoughts and her resolve.

"I want to be there for them, I believe people need to be friends before they can be" Anna stumbled for the appropriate word. "More than friends. But…" she trailed off. Out of steam, she closed her eyes to stop any tears.

"But you don't want to just be there for them. To just be a friend". Sandy said, his voice full of empathy.

"I just don't want to be forgotten, overlooked, passed over. I can feel it happening". Sandy sighed.

Let me tell you-" Sandy stopped mid-sentence. "Uh-oh," he said with a smirk and speaking the next words quickly and quietly. "I hear a bike on the drive, damn. Come over another time, I've got a story I think you need to hear. You are always welcome". Anna nodded, taking in shallow breaths as she heard the footsteps approaching.

"Ryan!" Sandy said jovially, holding up his glass. "Look who came knocking. We were just talking about being an outsider in a world of Newpsies". Anna straightened up, looking across the entrance to the pool area. Ryan walked into view. Open short sleeved shirt, white t-shirt, black jeans. As his gaze came to rest upon Anna, a faint smile appeared. He raised his hand silently, a knowing reference to his quiet demeanour. She did the same, and smiled back.

"Well, I'll leave you two kids to talk. You know where everything is. See you soon Anna. Keep each other out of trouble".